Cannula locator



Jam. 218 395% v. F. SIMMONS 232191194 CANNULA LOCATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1955 INVENTOR. VAUGHAN P. SIMMONS V. P. SIMMQNS CANNULA LOCATOR Jam. 23 395% 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 24, 1955 INVENTOR.

VAUGHAN F. SIMMONS Patented Jan. 28, 1958 CANNULA LOCATOR Vaughan P. Simmons, Wauwatosa, Wis.

Application October 24, 1955, Serial No. 542,298

4 Claims. (Cl. 128-214) This invention relates to surgical apparatus for providing a passage for transfer of fluid into or from a vein or artery or other organ or tissue and it resides more specifically in a self-adhesive structure which will adhere to the skin in the area where the passage is to be effected in combination with a cannula held properly inclined by the adhesive structure so as to ensure free passage of fluid and so as to secure the cannula against displacement; the adhesive structure including a pressure sensitive adhesive base member covering the cannula at the point of entrance through the skin and extending laterally of the cannula; a reinforced pressure sensitive adhesive elevating member extending beneath the exposed part of the cannula and folded to provide a pair of crossed, tension-resisting leaves extending in the direction of the cannula point, adherently attached to the base member and the skin; and a pressure sensitive adhesive covering member extending laterally of the cannula, superimposed upon the base member and the tension leaves to resist upwardly acting displacement forces.

The wide use of subcutaneous injection of fluids for human treatment has made desirable improved means for maintaining the cannula in its correct position while the fluid transfer takes place. Heretofore, the maintenance of the cannula in proper position has been dependent upon an improvised bandage elaborated on the spot from surgical adhesive tape. In an effort to ensure secure attachment the quantity of tape employed often is excessive, and unduly expensive. The optimum inclination of the cannula for maximum freedom of flow and for minimum damage to the tissues is also diflicult to obtain. As a result, considerable nursing attention, otherwise unnecessary, is required of a patient receiving such injections.

It is an object of this invention to provide a locating bandage attached by means of an eucohesive, so-called pressure sensitive substance which will maintain the position of an injection cannula with greater security, economically and Without injury to the tissues.

Another object of this invention is to provide a locating bandage for securing an injection cannula which will ensure retention of the cannula at a favorable angle of inclination such as will facilitate free flow of fluid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a locating bandage for an injection cannula which may be systematically applied according to a definite procedure to produce consistent results with a saving in time on the part of the technician employing the bandage.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the description following which is set forth with reference made to the accompanying drawings which show by way of illustration and not of limitation one form in which the apparatus of this invention may be embodied.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a locating bandage constructed in accordance with the invention shown in working relationshp to the parts with which it is intended to be used,

.Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a dispensable assemblage of elements from which the bandage of this invention may be prepared,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detailed view showing the reinforcing means for the elevating member,

Fig. 4 is a detailed fragmentary view, in section, viewed through the plane 44 indicated in Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a view showing the first step in the assembling of the bandage of this invention, namely, the application of the base member,

Fig. 6 is a view showing the ensuing step in assembling the bandage wherein the elevating member is applied,

Fig. 7 is a view of the bandage of this invention showing the same after the covering member has been applied, and

Fig. 8 shows the bandage appearing in Fig. 7 supplemented by a retaining member 15.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figure l, a bandage of this invention is shown in a form adapted for use in connection with a cannula placed for intravenous injection. The bandage, as here shown, consists of an assembly 1 from which tubing 2 emerges. The tubing 2 in turn is connected to a sight drip bulb 3 joined by tubing 4 with a flask 5 which may be held in elevated position in customary manner. The flask 5 is provided with the usual vent tube 6. The tubing 2 is bent to provide a strain relieving loop which is held by an auxiliary anchorage 7.

The method of constructing the bandage assembly 1 is more clearly illustrated in Figures 5 through 8 where the sequence of the steps by which it is formed is illustrated. As appears, in Figure 5, the cannula proper, desi nated 8 is first placed and entered into a vein, artery or other organ, tissue or vessel according to customary procedures. The tubing 2 forms an extension of the cannula 8. Immediately a pressure sensitive adhesive base member 9 is placed across and in contact with the cannula 8 adjacent the point of entry of the same into the skin.

The member 9 is formed of a pliant strip of sheet material carrying an adhesive coating of the socalled pressure sensitive type, wherein the adhesive layer is formed of an eucohesive mass in which adhesion forces are high and permanently so but in which the cohesive properties exceed the adhesive properties to permit removal of the member 9 when its purpose has been served. Herein the term, pressure sensitive adhesive, shall be employed as referring to such a mass.

After placing the member 9 in position to provide strong lateral reinforcement, a tension-resisting elevating member 10 formed of pressure sensitive sheet material is passed beneath cannula 8 or the tube 2 immediately behind the head of the cannula 8 and folded in crossed relationship extending generally in the direction of the point of the cannula. The folded central area of the elevating member 1'!) may be reinforced by a stiffening member 11 formed of stiff, card-like material. for example, vulcanized fiber sheet cut in the configuration shown more clearly in Figure 3.

The reinforcing member II is tapered toward its ends and is cut away to provide an upwardly opening slot 12 which coincides with a similar upwardly opening slot in the elevating member 10. The reinforcing member 11 may be weakened along the lines 13-13 to facilitate creasing so that the member 10 will naturally assume the configuration shown most clearly in Figure 6 when its ends are folded in the direction of the point of the cannula 8.

When the member has been placed in position,

strongly resisting tension which may be applied through the tubing 2, a covering member 14 formed also of pressure sensitive adhesive sheet material is applied, as shown more clearly in'Figure 7, to resist upwardly acting displacement of the central area of the bandage and to ensure retention of the inclination of the cannula 8 without undue dependence upon the tone of the tissue in which the cannula 8 is inserted.

To avoid the possibility of upward displacement of the tubing 2, a retaining member 15, formed of pressure sensitive sheet material, may be passed around the rear surface of the member 10 bridging the open upward end of the slot 12 above the tubing 2 as appears in Figure 87 For convenience, the several elements, which combined form the bandage 1 of this invention, may be separately die cut and mounted for ready dispensing on a backing board as appears in Figure 2. As here shown, a backing consisting of a main backing means 16 and supplementary backing means 17 may be provided upon which the several elements in strips 7, 9, 10, 14 and 15 are applied as shown. When the bandage is to be placed in use, the portion 17 may be separated exposing the ends of the adhering strips so that they may be grasped and readily removed from the portion 16 of the backing. There is thus provided for ready and immediate application, in a systematic manner, all of the elements required to produce the combination of this invention.

I claim:

1. A locating and attaching bandage for a cannula in place penetrating the skin for fluid transfer, the combination comprising a transverse pressure sensitive sheet base member having a medial portion across and in contact with the cannula adjacent the point of its penetration of the skin and having laterally extending attachment ends on opposite sides of said cannula, an elevating and tension-resisting means formed of pressure sensitive sheet material having a medial elevating portion extending beneath the exposed portion of the cannula and having anchorage leaves overlapping one another and overlying said base member and extending forwardly therefrom to present attachment areas for engagement with the skin; and a covering member extending laterally of the cannula formed of pressure sensitive adhesive sheet material overlying and adherently attached to the elevating and tension-resisting member and the base member and having a margin portion providing an attachment area for attachment to the skin.

2. A locating bandage in accordance with claim 1 wherein the central elevating portion of the elevating and tension-resisting member is reinforced by adherently attached stiff sheet material.

3. A locating bandage in accordance with claim 1 wherein the elevating portion of the elevating and tensioning member is provided with an upwardly opening slot within which the exposed end of the cannula is received.

4. A locating bandage in accordance with claim 3 in which the upwardly opening slot in the elevating and tensioning resisting member is bridged by a pressure sensitive adhesive retaining member.

Hanover June 18, v1935 Powdermaker Ian. 26, 1937 OTHER REFERENCES The Bay Company, letter and sample dated March 23, 1937. (Available in Division 55.) 

